The Houston Dynamo knew what they were getting when they acquired defender Bobby Boswell from D.C. United for backup goalkeeper Zach Wells during the offseason.
The team had an opening when Ryan Cochrane was lost in the expansion draft to the San Jose Earthquakes. The team also knew Cochrane had a desire to return to northern California, so the Dynamo left him unprotected.
Talent lost, the team turned to Boswell who had career year in 2006 when he was an All-Star, named the league's best defender and was named to the MLS Best XI at the end of the year.
The Dynamo are a game under .500 ahead of this week's games against FC Dallas and New York, and a slow start is to blame for a 2-3-4 record that still has the team on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.
Generally, Boswell has played well and has started all nine matches, playing 810 minutes. His goal against Chicago last week gave the team its second consecutive win at the time before Thursday's disappointing 2-1 loss at San Jose.
After heading the ball into the back of the net at Toyota Park, Boswell celebrated by sliding head first across a wet field, drenched by a drive rain that night.
The display was not unsportsmanlike, and Boswell said it just felt so good to get the go-ahead goal against such a talented team.
"It felt so good and we wanted to win the game so bad," said Boswell. "They are a tough team. We've been playing well, we just haven't been getting the breaks and results we needed, so to get a win on the road is always great."
The 25-year-old Boswell is mobile and quick for a big player (6 foot-2). He used his height to his advantage to head a free kick by Richard Mulrooney past Fire goalie Jon Busch.
Of the trade to Houston, Boswell said he was glad to end up with a team with a good work ethic and one that expects to be good every time it takes the field.
"When you are getting traded, you never know where you could end up," Boswell said. "I was really happy to end up in such a great club. The guys are great. It's a hard-working team. The staff is wonderful. It's been a real nice move for me. I'm happy with it.
"They had a spot open up, and they needed a guy who could come in and play right away. I was looking to get somewhere I could contribute. What I bring to the table, it's just a lot of hard work and a good work ethic, and that's what this team is all about."
The Tampa, Fla. native has stepped it up during the month of May, save for what many would call an average game in the loss to San Jose. He saved at least two goals with his hard-nosed defense in a win over Colorado on May 10, scored the winner against Chicago.
Fortune, work ethic and perhaps a little luck all changed for the worse in the loss to San Jose. The defenders, mainly Boswell and Eddie Robinson, held their own in the first half. Boswell slipped and was nearly responsible for a Ryan Johnson goal in the first half.
Later, after Robinson left with an abdominal injury after taking an apparent elbow, the Dynamo defense was reeling. Pat Ianni replaced Robinson, but lost was that critical element of communication that has grown between Boswell and Robinson on the back line.
"I think the injury to Eddie was an important part of that game," Boswell said. "Actually I was kind of hurt on the play right before that. I was leaning toward coming out, but his injury was a little more serious.
"It is always really tough when you switch defenders in the middle of the game, especially when the other team was big, strong fast guys up front. Plus, overall, we just didn't have a good game last week."
Despite the one-game regression, Boswell still gives the Dynamo quite a lift in what is becoming the club's most challenging season since arriving in the Bayou City.
When asked about his overall play to date. Boswell politely shies away from taking too much credit. He comes to work, plays hard and does what he can to keep the Dynamo competitive in a Western Conference that has yet to uncover a front-runner.
"I wouldn't say I'm on a roll; it's not about me here," Boswell said. "It's about the team. We've been playing really well, and finally, the results are starting to turn. The goal (against the Fire) was just from watching video with (coach) Dom (Kinnear).
"We knew we could get them on a quick one, and that's what happened there at the end. It's all about the team, though. The team is such a great team and group of guys."
Andrew J. Ferraro is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
